LIFE’S TURBULENCE

The “fasten seat belt” light flashed as the captain’s voice came over the loudspeaker, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are experiencing some turbulence…”

Wakened from his sleep, four-year-old Caleb sat up groggily. This was his first international flight – twelve hours straight from Los Angeles to Beijing. He was moving with his parents to a country he’d never been to before, to live among people he’d never met. But when the plane started jerking and bumping through the rough clouds, Caleb didn’t ask any questions about why this was happening or when it would stop. Instead, he searched his parents faces for their reaction. Seeing their reassuring smiles, he was able to relax and fall back asleep. As long as his mom and dad weren’t worried, then he wasn’t worried.

As Caleb’s mom recounted the experience to me, I was reminded of when Jesus called Peter to get out of the boat and walk to Him on the water. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was fine. But when he looked around at the wind and rain, when he looked down at the swelling waves, he became afraid and began to sink.

I often focus on life’s turbulence – lack of finances, health issues, relational conflicts – until I feel I’m drowning in discouragement and hopelessness. I may not understand why something is happening. The future may be uncertain. But like little Caleb on the plane, if I look to my Father, my heart will be at rest. He knows the way and is walking with me. He isn’t worried, so why should I be?